Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Symbol of Peace (2)

– There was an attack by a villain at an apartment in D City tonight. The magical girl who responded to the report unfortunately found that most residents had gone missing.....

Watching the news about the mass disappearance incident that occurred in this city last night, Joo Ah-yoon clicked her tongue. Nothing but ominous news recently.

“Rumors of dwindling customers are reaching even here...”

She had secretly hoped it would become a hidden gem known only to those in the know, but she didn’t mean for it to become a desolate place that no one visited. With only a few days left until the grand opening, the only rumors dominating this city were disappearances and deaths.

“Maybe it’s not a good idea to open a store after all?”

Jingle. The door chime rang as Han Jae-jung entered the store. Brushing off the white particles accumulated on his shoulders from the swirling snow outside, he gave a bitter smile.

“Already losing motivation before even opening? You should be prepared to franchise it.”

“My goal is to make it a hip hangout spot. I don’t intend to get famous.”

“Well, you can’t be thinking of failing either.”

Han Jae-jung chuckled and dragged a chair to sit in front of the bar table. Joo Ah-yoon handed him a pre-brewed coffee and complimented him on his hard work.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll stay positive. Good work on the patrol. So... Did you find anything?”

Taking a sip of the coffee, Han Jae-jung let out an impressed oh before answering her question.

“As expected, nothing much.”

“Sigh...”

Just seconds after mentioning staying positive, Joo Ah-yoon let out a deep sigh. It was frustrating to have power but no target to use it on.

It was clear that the culprit behind the recent murders and disappearances was a villain. If it were a human, there would definitely be traces left behind. Like the mass disappearance incident from just yesterday – could that many people vanish without a trace if not caused by a villain?

The problem was that while there was definite circumstantial evidence of a villain, the villain itself couldn’t be found. This applied equally to the two transformed humans with villain tracking abilities, leaving them extremely vexed.

If the villain was in the vicinity of D5 City, it should trigger a reaction from their belts. And if it came from outside, there would be a report prompting the magical girls to be dispatched. Of course, if the culprit was an S-rank villain capable of disguise, it may not be reported until it reveals its true form.

But even in the process of escaping, it should be caught by either the two transformed humans or the magical girls.

Once found, resolving the situation itself would be easy. But that discovery was proving impossible.

“Those darn cockroaches... Are good at hiding, I’ll give them that!”

Facing potential failure before even opening. Enraged, Joo Ah-yoon gulped down her coffee. Her heart burned hotter than the scalding drink. Hot enough to cool her temper instantly...

“Ah! Hot damn!”

Never mind.

The steaming coffee assaulted Joo Ah-yoon’s vulnerable insides. Far from cooling her temper, it only stoked the flames further. Startled, she spat out the coffee in her mouth.

“Oh geez, calm down why don’t you. You okay? Didn’t burn yourself anywhere?”

Han Jae-jung hurriedly grabbed tissues to wipe her mouth. Feigning tears at his gentle touch, Joo Ah-yoon leaned against him.

“Waah... Brother...”

“You really should have been more careful in choosing.”

“I just had this feeling...that this place was my destiny...like when I met you and sister Seol-hwa...”

What began as simple curiosity and interest eventually morphed into an obsessive conviction for Joo Ah-yoon that this place was her one and only destiny. Not just confidence, but a blind faith. In a matter of days, she had ignited a burning passion akin to Romeo and Juliet willing to die for love, resolving to put down roots here.

It was truly a fateful encounter.

However, if she was going to burn with such fiery determination, she would have to endure the searing smoke as well. Watching people leave D5 City day by day, Joo Ah-yoon felt the burden of responsibility weighing heavily on her bones.

It was the common mistake young entrepreneurs make – assuming ‘I’ll succeed for sure’.

‘What do I do about this...?’

Han Jae-jung patted the back of Joo Ah-yoon, nuzzling her cheek against his chest, and suppressed a sigh. After all, Joo Ah-yoon was the boss. He couldn’t really object to a decision she had made herself.

Still, seeing someone who claimed to want to enjoy a happy, slow life willingly walk the path of hardship was inevitably perplexing.

“Let’s patrol one more time later. Okay? Can’t give up already. You’re my adorable Ah-yoon. You can stay strong, right?”

“Mmm...”

Joo Ah-yoon kept rubbing her cheek against his broad chest, like a newborn kitten nuzzling its mother.

Chalarang. As the doorbell rang, Joo Ah-yoon swiftly broke off her embrace with him like a butterfly and assumed a relaxed, hostess-like pose.

Han Jae-jung looked at her in disbelief and was about to lash out at the uninvited guest when he turned his body.

“We’re not open yet...”

“What, you really opened a cafe?”

“I said we’re not open yet.”

Ignoring his words, the uninvited guest brazenly stepped inside the shop, her gaze fixed on Joo Ah-yoon.

“Long time no see, Pink Deneb.”

“...What? How did you find out about this place?”

The two seemed to know each other. As Han Jae-jung quietly studied her face, a flash of recognition sparked in the corner of his mind. Han Jae-jung also knew this uninvited guest unilaterally.

“Altairmoo.”

Orange Altair. A long-range magic girl capable of sniping from kilometers away by wielding the magic of the bow.

She had a decent presence in the original work as well. Above all, her distinctive character was hard to forget.

“...When will you stop calling me by that dog of a nickname?”

Bang! She slammed the door shut as she left.

“Close it gently, you idiot!”

“...Is your friend okay? She seems upset.”

“Not a friend. Whether she’s upset or not, why should I care?”

Han Jae-jung was worried about Joo Ah-yoon, but her voice was as cold as could be.

Joo Ah-yoon leaned her arms on the bar table and rested her chin on them, looking at the remaining two uninvited guests.

“So, what did you two come here for? If you can’t even drink coffee.”

“To play!”

“I missed seeing you... Ah, was I a nuisance?”

Baek Ah-hee’s gaze curved like a more sinister crescent moon, and she faltered, clutching her belly. Her gaze was fixed on Han Jae-jung.

“Jae-jung?”

“No, no, it’s fine. Feel free.”

“Brother, do you think this is some playground?”

“I’m, I’m an adult now too!”

“You’re still just a brat.”

“Jiknyeo is taller than me!”

“You’ll get beaten up later.”

With a throaty laugh, White Davi ran away, only to receive a fierce dropping kick to the back of her head.

Watching this scene with satisfaction, Han Jae-jung approached Baek Ah-hee and asked, “So? If not coffee, what can I get you?”

“Ah, it’s okay. I brought my own drink.”

Baek Ah-hee rummaged through her bag and pulled out a large bottle of vodka.

“...What’s this?”

“You couldn’t drink alcohol before, so...”

“But why this?”

“...? Because it’s cool...?”

Han Jae-jung let out a deep sigh and examined the vodka bottle.

“Hey Vega, this is really strong. 40% alcohol, you know?”

“Yeah, but. I wanted to give it a try....”

Baek Ah-hee looked at Han Jae-jung with sparkling eyes, full of longing.

“I wanted my first alcoholic drink to be with you, Jae-jung... Was I being a nuisance?”

She gently pressed her abdomen against his waist. Han Jae-jung, not oblivious to the implied threat in her words, frowned deeply and stepped back.

“Alright.”

Then he headed to the fridge.

“Instead, I’ll mix something for you. That’s okay, right? Starting with this could upset your stomach.”

“Okay~”

“Could you, um, make one for me too... Please?”

“You’re going to end up drinking yourself to the emergency room today.”

“Kwaaaan! Don’t break... my joints!”

The previously gloomy atmosphere had brightened up. Seeing Jo Ah-yun’s tension noticeably rise, Han Jae-jung smiled contentedly. Even if they were uninvited guests, it wasn’t so bad like this.

As he took out ice and juice, Baek Ah-hee spoke up in front of him.

“Ah, and this is kind of a trivial matter, but...”

“Yes, what is it?”

“You know how Davi said she promoted this cafe to her seniors?”

“Yes, why?”

“It seems to have reached headquarters.”

“Yes...”

“They want to use this cafe as a base for the D5 City incident.”

“Yes... Wait, what?”

That’s a trivial matter? Han Jae-jung shot Baek Ah-hee a look, but she just grinned mischievously.

“Compared to us sharing a drink, it’s a trivial matter, right...? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Infuriating. Han Jae-jung swallowed a curse inwardly.

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